Steven Naismith claims Hearts' desire to capture his services led to his move to Tynecastle, after the club announced that the 31-year-old striker has signed until the end of the season from Norwich City.

Naismith had been linked with a return to former clubs Kilmarnock and Rangers but after completing his temporary transfer to the Edinburgh club, managed by his former Scotland manager Craig Levein, he explained why.

He said: 'It is a club which obviously has had its difficulties in the past but it is definitely flourishing now under the leadership of Ann Budge and the gaffer as well, and if I can help that move forward I would be delighted to do so.

SIMON JONES: Chelsea are keen to accelerate a move for Andy Carroll following the red card for Alvaro Morata.

However, Carroll has been receiving treatment for an ankle injury. He is understood to have received an injection earlier this month and missed West Ham's FA Cup tie with Shrewsbury Town as a consequence.

There are concerns that Carroll's injury is not as bad as the player believes but, regardless, Chelsea have still to make an offer suitable to West Ham's valuation.

18:25

Sunderland chase loan deal for Derby's Chris Martin

SIMON JONES: Sunderland are the latest club to express an interest in taking Chris Martin on loan from Derby County.

Reading have also asked about the 29-year-old Scotland international who, like Darren Bent, will be allowed to leave now that Derby have signed Cameron Jerome from Norwich City.

Manager Gary Rowett said: 'The reality is that Chris Martin and Darren Bent will want to go and play football. I have spoken to those two players about it, they are in agreement with that and it will just be about seeing whether interest becomes more concrete.'

18:00

Petit thinks Arsenal can do better than Aubameyang + Malcom

OLIVER TODD: Former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit has questioned the quality of his former club’s transfer targets Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Malcom — and says they should be aiming higher.

Arsene Wenger is looking to the Borussia Dortmund striker and Bordeaux wideman to re-energise a side sixth in the Premier League and set to be shorn of Alexis Sanchez.

But Petit is unsure whether the wages Arsenal are willing to pay are sufficient to attract real top-tier quality to the Emirates.

SIMON JONES: Leicester have had a second offer of around £4million rejected for Marseille's Bouna Sarr.

The 25-year-old has been playing at right-back but can double up as a winger and Claude Puel is keen to add his pace to his squad.

Leicester are expected to return with another improved offer though Marseille coach Rudi Garcia is reluctant to lose the Guinea international.

17:20

Moyes fails to recall Snodgrass from Villa loan

SIMON JONES: West Ham have failed to bring Robert Snodgrass back from his loan spell at Aston Villa.

Manager David Moyes was keen to sign Snodgrass for Sunderland last season and believed he could get the Scotland international back to his best form despite the criticism the player has received from West Ham's owners.

However, there is no break clause in the deal and Snodgrass will stay at Villa.

17:01

NO DEAL: Tottenham choose not to pursue Moura

Tottenham have not opened talks over a deal for Lucas Moura at Paris Saint-Germain.

The Brazilian has been offered to a number of Premier League sides, including Manchester United, as the French club look to sell to meet their FFP guidelines.

Reports out of France say talks have begun over a potential loan with view to permanent deal for the 25-year-old but Sportsmail understands it is not a deal Tottenham are pursuing.

Mauricio Pochettino has the maximum quota of foreign players allowed, 17, in his Champions League squad already. Should he sign another foreign player one would have to be sacrificed prior to the next registration.

16:47

Baggies keen on Basle's Lang

Another line from Simon Jones...

West Bromwich Albion are in talks over Basle right-back Michael Lang.

The 28-year-old has 22 caps for Switzerland and is keen on a move to the Premier league after Albion sent scouts to watch him in action during Basel's winter training camp in Malaga.

Albion are discussing a fee with Basle and are prepared to offer Lang a three and a half year contract.

Lang, who can also play at centre-back, scored the winning goal for Basle in their 1-0 Champions League victory over Manchester United in November.

16:28

City scouts in Lille to watch Soumare once again

Manchester City were represented again at Lille on Wednesday night as they continue to monitor stylish young midfielder Boubakary Soumare.

The 18-year-old has broken into Lille's first team this season after leaving Paris St Germain in the summer. City liked him at PSG and have monitored his progress as they look to strengthen their options in defensive midfield.

Soumare is 6ft 2ins tall and technically very good. City see him as one for the future while they have also discussed Fred of Shakhtar Donetsk and Jean-Michael Seri of Nice. Both players have also been targeted by Manchester United.

City scouts were not alone as Lille lost 2-1 to Rennes on Wednesday night.

Crystal Palace, who have made offers for Ibrahim Amadou, Everton and Leicester City were also represented City forward Olarenwaju Kayode is in talks to join Amiens on loan. Kayode has been on loan at Girona.

Everton have made an enquiry for Bayern Munich left-back Juan Bernat but the Bundesliga side do not wish to lose the Spaniard this month.

The 24-year-old has been restricted to just two appearances this season but Bayern want to keep him as cover for David Alaba with the Champions League still to play for.

Bayern are 13 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga and face Paderborn in the quarter finals of the German Cup.

Everton have considered a number of options for left-back with Manchester United's Luke Shaw, Porto's Alex Telles, Aaron Cresswell of West Ham and Crystal Palace's Patrick van Aanholt among the names discussed.

15:47

Swansea ask after Ajax's Younes

Swansea City have made an enquiry for Ajax winger Amin Younes.

The Germany international also has interest from Napoli though wants to play regularly should he leave Amsterdam.

The 24-year-old left winger has been targeted by Swansea as they look to balance their attack. He can also play on the right or behind the striker.

Swansea have also considered West Ham pair Diafra Sakho and Andre Ayew plus Kevin Gameiro at Atletico and Andre Silva at AC Milan.

15:37

HE'S A KEEPER! Carson extends Derby stay

#DCFC are delighted to announce that @SCarsonOfficial has signed a new deal with the club until 2⃣0⃣2⃣0⃣!

The France international has been a target for the Bundesliga side since the summer and they remain keen on signing him.

The differing valuations of the 31-year-old and Pierre Emerick Aubameyang mean there will be no direct swap but the deals are entwined as Dortmund want a replacement for the Gabon international. Chelsea's Michy Batshuayi has also been discussed.

Giroud wants to play regularly to stand a chance of making France's World Cup squad.

More talks are planned on Friday between Arsenal and Dortmund over Aubameyang's departure.

Meanwhile, Arsenal have dismissed he prospect of Danny Welbeck going to Besiktas after the Turkish club showed interest in the England striker.

Arsenal are keeping Mesut Ozil for January as he contemplates signing a new contract. It's understood the Germany international does not have too many feasible alternatives at this stage.

Manchester United are ready to open contract negotiations with Marcos Rojo and finalise a new deal for David de Gea.

Argentina international Rojo has been one of the club's outstanding defenders under Jose Mourinho and the Portuguese coach wants the 27-year-old rewarded with a new deal as his current one runs until to 2019.

De Gea, who also has 12 months left plus a year's option, has also pledged to stay at Old Trafford with Real Madrid focusing on Thibaut Courtois of Chelsea and Athletic Bilbao's Kepa Arrizabalaga.

De Gea's agent Jorge Mendes was at United's Carrington training ground on Wednesday with Ed Woodward as he also looks to extend terms for Mourinho.

Meanwhile, Rojo and compatriot Sergio Romero met up with Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli at Carrington on Wednesday also. Sampaoli was understood to be over to take in training as well as meet up with members of his projected World Cup squad from both United and City.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan trained at Carrington on Thursday morning ahead of his proposed move to Arsenal.

Agent Mino Raiola is in London to finalise terms for the swap deal to take place involving Alexis Sanchez going in the opposite direction. Sanchez has agreed a contract with United until 2022.

Spanish side Valencia are the latest club to enquire about United full-back Matteo Darmian. The Italy international is wanted on loan but United are understood to want around £17million for the 28-year-old.

Aubameyang will have to wait to finalise his anticipated move to Arsenal as he has been included in the Dortmund squad to face Hertha Berlin on Friday.

But Arsene Wenger will be keen to tie down the forward as he has scored more goals, has more expected goals and is joint top for assists in comparison to Arsenal's current attack of Alexandre Lacazette, Olivier Giroud, Danny Welbeck and Alex Iwobi.

Stoke boss Paul Lambert has indicated he will look to add further signings this month to the loan capture of Kostas Stafylidis that is set to be completed imminently.

The Potters announced on Wednesday evening that they expected to complete the signing of FC Augsburg and Greece left-back Stafylidis on loan for the rest of the season within 24 hours.

The 24-year-old is poised to become the second new addition to Stoke's squad of the current transfer window, with right-back Moritz Bauer having already joined from Rubin Kazan, and the first since Lambert's appointment as manager on Monday.

Arsenal transfer target Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has the stats to show why the Gunners need the Borussia Dortmund striker.

Aubameyang will have to wait to finalise his anticipated move to Arsenal as he has been included in the Dortmund squad to face Hertha Berlin on Friday.

But Arsene Wenger will be keen to tie down the forward as he has scored more goals, has more expected goals and is joint top for assists in comparison to Arsenal's current attack of Alexandre Lacazette, Olivier Giroud, Danny Welbeck and Alex Iwobi.